Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2007
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New Year’s Resolutions
A wish list to keep our industry thriving
Happy New Year to all. During this time of year, it is customary for most people to take stock of their objectives for the coming year and consider a list of New Year’s resolutions to guide them toward improvement in the upcoming year and beyond. So, in that spirit, CANJ has come up with 10 resolutions in order to further the objectives of our industry in 2007.
Here they are:
1. That we continue our efforts to demonstrate to the state the tremendous past and current economic development benefits that are generated by our industry.
2. That we continue to urge the state to recognize that casinos and casino employees are an essential part of the state’s economy by codifying legislation that prevents a casino shutdown from ever occurring again.
3. That we continue to promote the renaissance that Atlantic City is in the midst of and our belief that this renaissance will continue, provided the economic climate remains stable and predictable so that further investment is encouraged.
4. That we convince the state’s senior citizens and disabled citizens to take a more active role in supporting our industry as stakeholders in the success of our casinos, to the extent of over $400 million each year that our industry pays toward prescription drug programs, and that they understand that if our revenues decline, these benefits will also decline.
5. That we are effective in persuading policy-makers that with the advent of gaming in Pennsylvania and New York it is even more important that industry concerns be supported so that we may continue to position our businesses to best compete.
6. To work with all levels of government proactively to anticipate and address the current and future transportation infrastructure needs of Atlantic City and the region.
7. To work with all levels of government to foster an environment that is conducive to increasing the labor supply needed to service our increasing volume of visitors.
8. To continue to communicate to our employees that casino operators want to work with them both to improve their quality of life and to provide the best entertainment experience for our customers, and that these goals are not only compatible, but they are co-dependent.
9. To work with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Atlantic City Building Department to streamline the process for new construction and renovation to allow the industry to be able to build more quickly and efficiently without impacting legitimate safety or regulatory concerns.
10. To continue our efforts to rally all of the organizations and individuals who benefit from the tremendous economic development benefits of our industry—our employees, senior citizens, labor unions, the vendors throughout the state from whom we purchase billions of dollars of goods annually, etc., etc.—to support our industry, because if our industry continues to thrive, so will all of these stakeholders in our industry (and vice versa).
2007 looks to be a year of milestones and progress as the contributions of gaming in our state move us closer to the full realization of Atlantic City’s potential. CANJ believes that the critical element to that endeavor is the positive support of our mission by both public and private sector stakeholders.
We wish all of our employees, customers and friends, including our elected and appointed representatives, good health, happiness and prosperity in the year to come. As always, we look forward to working with you toward our shared vision for the future of the casino industry in the New Year.
